MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson said an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) called up one lawmaker to make early insertions in the proposed national budget for 2026.
The senator on Sunday said a caller claiming to be "Undersecretary Cabral" from DPWH called up a staff member of Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III shortly after the May 2025 senatorial elections.
"One 'Undersecretary Cabral' called Sotto's staff and told them to insert what they wanted to insert [in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2026]," Lacson said in a radio interview.
"If Sen. Sotto was one of those called by that executive, who else could have been contacted similarly and submitted their proposed insertions?" he said in Filipino.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
"Senator Sotto told me he did not submit anything because we are advocating transparency and good governance. The question now is, how many members of the House and Senate made insertions?" Lacson added., This news data comes from:http://aichuwei.com
- Heavy rains flood parts of Metro Manila anew
- Marcos orders lifestyle check on all govt officials amid flood projects probe
- SC clarifies rules on land ownership
- Pakistanis no reprieve from floods yet
- SSS pension reform program starts in September
- Alex Eala targets US Open Round of 32 in rematch against Spanish rival
- Gaza aid flotilla says hit by drone, Tunisia says none detected
- Nepali court: Hindu holy men's nudity not obscene
- Eala ousts Day, enters Guadalajara Open final
- Hope dwindles for survivors days after deadly Afghan quake
